The Breads of Winter from Casa de Cuisine: Oatmeal Bread

I love breads made from whole grains. Not only are they nutritious and healthy, their fresh taste is simply a wonder to behold. This bread I had a few times while in Australia and each time I found myself wanting more. The texture of this bread is quite delicate and the crust is among the tastiest I have ever tried.

This recipe makes two loaves and you might think that is too much. Once you taste it, you'll realize it might not even be enough. It freezes wonderfully well and is one of the better sandwich breads around.

This is one of the breads which will be gracing the winter dinner table at Casa de Cuisine and I hope it will grace yours as well.

From the kitchen at Casa de Cuisine to your winter kitchen, I hope you enjoy this doughy gift from Australia!

Ingredients needed to make Oatmeal Bread (makes 2 loaves):

• 2 cups milk
• 2 Tbs. butter
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 ¼ tsp. salt
• 2 ½ tsp. yeast
• ¼ cup warm water
• 2 tsp. honey
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 5 ½ cups flour

Steps:

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat stir together the milk, butter, brown sugar and salt until it begins to simmer. Remove the pan from the heat to cool to the touch.
2. In a large bowl whisk together the yeast, warm water and honey. Set this mixture aside 10 minutes to proof (foam).
3. Stir the warm milk mixture into the proofed yeast. Stir in the oats and flour to form a dough.
4. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead 10 minutes (this is an extremely sticky dough, so this can be a messy part).
5. Place the dough back into the bowl, cover and let rise 2 hours.
6. Punch the dough down, place on a floured surface and knead 5 minutes.
7. Line the bottoms of two 9x5 loaf pans with parchment paper.
8. Divide the dough into two portions and place each in the prepared loaf pans. Let the dough rise 1 hour in the pans.
9. Pre-heat the oven to 400.
10. Place the pants in the oven and bake 50 minutes or until done.
11. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes in pans. Remove from pans and let cool on a rack.

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